Melania ‘in talks’ with Putin over war-displaced children

The US first lady has 'an open channel of communication' regarding Ukrainian children being held captive by Moscow

- ANDREW FEINBERG

Eight Ukrainian children who were kidnapped from their families and held captive in Russia have been returned to Ukraine following back-channel negotiations between Melania Trump and Russian representatives, the first lady said yesterday.

Ms Trump, a former model who was born in what is now Slovenia when that country was part of what was then Yugoslavia, made the stunning announcement in the Grand Foyer of the White House. She told reporters that “much [had] unfolded” since she sent a letter in August to Russian president Vladimir Putin regarding the fate of the thousands of children who have been taken to Russia after being seized by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine.

She said Putin had responded in writing to signal a “willingness to engage” with the first lady “directly”, and provided her with “details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia”.

“Since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children,” she said.